Friday, 24 May 2019

• NHIM found 69% of Brits didn’t love their home before the month started
• 56,616,592 home-dwellers were reached during the month on BBC, commercial and national publications
• Television presenters and home improvement experts Julia Kendell and Georgina Burnett give advice for further improvements

After a jam-packed April filled with bank holidays, spring sunshine and home improvements – the first ever National Home Improvement Month (NHIM) concludes following a successful country-wide initiative to get us improving our homes.

Previously known as National Home Improvement Week, NHIM organisers BHETA found that almost three-quarters of us (69%) across the UK didn’t love our homes, only 21% felt proud of our homes and 10% of us reported feeling embarrassed by our homes. Spurred on by mixed reactions from the public, NHIM launched for the first time this year calling upon home-dwellers to #makeonechange - big or small.

Backed by Julia Kendall (DIY SOS, 60 Minute Makeover) and Georgina Burnett (TV presenter, property and DIY interiors expert) as ambassadors, the public were encouraged to get started with home improvements by noting all the benefits home improvements can bring.

As Georgina Burnett comments, “It's been so rewarding hearing about and seeing the efforts people have made to their flats and houses having been inspired by National Home Improvement Month. They're still coming in, so hopefully, the motivation will last the year!”

In addition, Julia Kendall also notes, “It has been a phenomenal month of DIY and home improvements and I’m thrilled to see so many people pulling their sleeves up and getting stuck in. National Home Improvement Month has provided a kickstart for people to undertake exciting refurbishment projects and I hope the momentum will continue throughout the year. There is so much to be gained from learning new DIY and decorating skills to produce rooms in your home that support and inspire you. I encourage everyone to consider tackling their own home improvements to achieve a huge sense of satisfaction and create a home they love!”

For people initially unaware of National Home Improvement Month, a total of 56,616,592 people across the country were reached fuelling a national movement. Furthermore, NHIM featured on national radio stations and national publications specialising in homes such as Real Homes, Modern Homes, Ideal Home, Home Style and the Telegraph’s home edition.

Focusing on four themed weeks of home improvements from gardening to smart home technology, National Home Improvement Month also had labeled detailed information on how to get involved using different weeks on the website.

To get everyone started, NHIM allowed home improvers to enter a competition with the opportunity to win £750 worth of fantastic home improvement goodies from NHIM sponsors Harris, Valspar Paints and Schneider Electrics. The winner will be announced next week and NHIM organisers BHETA are hoping the home improvements made in April last well into the year.

“We’re delighted that we successfully evolved Home Improvement Week into Home Improvement Month this year and have inspired millions across the UK to make one change to their homes to help them love the home they live in, “ says Paul Grinsell of BHETA. “With house sales in the UK stagnant which is a huge stimulus for home improvement, the trend to improve rather than move gathers pace as consumers are exercising caution about significant investments currently. National Home Improvement Month has been a shot in the arm to consumers and retailers to encourage homeowners and renters that home improvement can be fulfilling if they have the right information, knowledge, and tools to help them with their tasks."

- Ends -

For information on how you can improve your home throughout the year visit the National Home Improvement Month website.

For further information, images or a copy of the full research, please contact Tom on Thomas@kincomms.com or Amy on Amy@kincomms.com. Alternatively, you can call 02039587175.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
National Home Improvement Month is supported by the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), the leading UK trade association for manufacturers, suppliers and distributors in the home enhancement market, including home improvement (DIY), garden, housewares and small electricals.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH
The research was carried out online from 15-19 November 2018 by Vital Research on behalf of BHETA. The research sample comprised 2,001 UK homeowners. All research conducted adheres to the UK Market Research Society (MRS) code of conduct (2014) and all research processes comply with the DPA (1998).

OFFICIAL AMBASSADORS
More information on the official ambassadors is available via the respective websites for Julia Kendell and Georgina Burnett